Montferrand duo Gerald Merceron and David Bory both make their return to the French squad for the Test against Canada on Saturday November 23.

The pair missed France's 30-10 win over South Africa on November 2 in Marseille, and last week's 20-20 tie with the All Blacks. They replace Francois Gelez at outside-half and Cédric Heymans on the wing respectively.

France head coach Bernard Laporte makes just two changes from the team that tackled New Zealand last weekend saying:"I wanted to keep a level of constancy. I didn't want to make changes for changes' sake, there's no point to that.

"I've kept Clerc rather than Heymans for a distinct reason - Vincent Clerc performs every time he gets the ball, he is more rugby-minded than Cédric Heymans whereas Heymans is more of a speed merchant. Clerc's kicking game is better and he has impressed me over the past two weeks."

"Gelez has not been pushed aside but I wanted to put Merceron back in the picture. We want to establish a real competitiveness between Gérald and Francois. The players are practically equal in terms of their level of play and in principle they are our two World Cup outside halves.

"They have an advantage over Michalak and Peyrelongue in that they are goal-kickers. In my opinion an outside half must be able to kick for goal.

"I don't really know what to expect from Canada, we are waiting for a video and we will analyse their play. I know some players like Mike James from Stade Francais and Perpignan's Phil Murphy - who we will have to watch out for - but I don't know where they stand on the world scale.

"After each match I carry out a thorough analysis. Against the All Blacks our winning of the ball and our defence worked well - contrary to our offensive display.

"What I know at this stage, a year away from the World Cup, is that we have to concentrate on our own game."

Canada captain Al Charon will return to boost the Canucks at Stade de France on Saturday (kick-off 3pm local time)

France team.- Brusque; Clerc, Castaignà¨de, Traille, Bory; Merceron, Galthié; Crenca, Ibanez, De Villliers, Brouzet, Pelous , Betsen, Magne, Harinordoquy
Replacements: Marconnet, Rué, Privat, Chabal, Yachvili, Gelez, Garbajosa.